![](http://www.alamy.com/thumbs/6/6968CD3D-D5F3-44F8-BC26-314F7AFEEDFD/JT0EK4.jpg)
VOTIVE ROMAN SHIELD.
After a successful and bloody battle of which there were many in those far off days, the soldier wanted to thank his God for getting him through it unscathed and so he went to his local temple to give thanks. He would be extremely unlikely to part with his actual sword or shield but it does make complete sense to have a miniature replica made and offer it as a token of thanks which they did. Many of these shields, swords etc are found with a hole in them. It is known from archaeological records that they often nailed their votive offering to a door or a wall. The hole in this one 'may' be the result of being nailed to a door or may be normal degradation.
Size: 7888px × 2917px
Location: Caistor, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
Photo credit: © fotolincs / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: archaeology, history, miniature, offerings, religion, shield, uk, votive, votives, votivgaben, votivoffer